Paramount moves to digital-only format for Hollywood releases

Paramount Pictures is reportedly the first major film studio in the US to abandon the 35-millimeter film format in exchange for digital-only releases. The Oscar nominated movie The Wolf of Wall Street was the studio’s first digital-only release while Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues will be the last on 35mm according to the Los Angeles Times.

More than 90 percent of movie theaters in the US now support digital formats but there are still some holdouts. Those aging theaters will need to get with the times here soon as Paramount is only the first of many other major film studios expected to make the jump by the end of the year.

But at a price of nearly $70,000 for a digital projector, it might not be possible for all theater owners at this point.

The move to digital has been a long time coming for Hollywood. Nearly 10 years ago during my first journalism class in college, the instructor talked about movie theaters moving to digital formats. Although he may have been several years off in his prediction, he correctly pointed out the shift and benefits it brings with it.

It’s worth pointing out that Paramount has yet to officially confirm the news as they likely don’t want to be seen as the first to make the move. What’s more, the studio will continue to ship film to Latin America and other foreign markets for the foreseeable future.